On the sacred banks of the Narmada, Ravana, lord of the Rakshasas, performed his ritual ablutions. Immersing himself in the waters, he bathed according to the proper rites and recited the supreme mantra. Emerging from the river, he cast aside his wet garment and clothed himself in pure white. With joined palms, he was followed by all the Rakshasas, obedient to his command. Wherever Ravana went, his followers, as solid and steadfast as embodied mountains, carried with them the golden lingam. Ravana placed the golden lingam upon an altar of sand and worshipped it with fragrant scents and flowers of ambrosial fragrance. Having honored the supreme boon-giving Lord—remover of the suffering of the virtuous, adorned with moonbeams—Ravana, that night-wanderer, spread his hands, sang, and danced before the deity. Not far from where Ravana was making his floral offering, Arjuna, the mighty king of Mahishmati and best among the victorious, was enjoying himself in the waters of the Narmada, surrounded by women. Amidst them, King Arjuna shone like an elephant among a thousand female elephants. Wishing to test the strength of his thousand arms, Arjuna, surrounded by many attendants, blocked the current of the Narmada with his arms. The pure waters, held back by Kartavirya's might, began to flow upstream, reversing their course. The river, adorned with fish, crocodiles, flowers, and sacred grass, surged forth like the Narmada in the rainy season. This torrent, sent forth by Kartavirya, swept away all of Ravana’s floral offerings. Ravana, abandoning his half-completed observance, gazed upon the beloved Narmada, now turned hostile, as if a dear one had become estranged. Looking westward, he saw the river’s swelling surge, like the roar of the ocean, advancing and entering the eastern quarter. Yet, in her natural state, the river remained unmoved, with birds trailing behind her, resembling a woman of unshaken composure. Annoyed, the ten-headed Ravana snapped the fingers of his left hand and commanded Shuka and Sarana to investigate the cause of the river’s force. Obeying his command, the heroic brothers soared westward through the sky. After traveling half a yojana, they saw a man, massive as a great sala tree, sporting in the water with his women. His hair was disordered by the river, his eyes reddened with intoxication, his radiance bewildered by wine. With a thousand arms, he blocked the river, subduer of foes, and with a thousand feet, he seemed to hold back the earth like a mountain. He was surrounded by a thousand beautiful young women, like an elephant encircled by a thousand intoxicated female elephants. Amazed by this wondrous sight, Shuka and Sarana returned to Ravana and reported, “O lord of the Rakshasas, there is someone there, massive as a great sala tree, who, having blocked the Narmada, sports with women. By his thousand arms, the river’s waters are restrained, and she, resembling the ocean’s surge, repeatedly emits great waves.” Hearing this, Ravana said, “That is Arjuna,” and, eager for battle, set out. As Ravana advanced toward Arjuna, a fierce, resounding wind arose, and the gods trembled. A blood-red cloud, sent forth by Mahodara, Mahaparsva, Dhumraksha, Shuka, and Sarana, gathered around Ravana. Thus surrounded, the king of the Rakshasas arrived where Arjuna was, and in a short time, that mighty, dark rakshasa reached the dreadful pool of the Narmada. There, Ravana beheld Arjuna, surrounded by women, like an elephant encircled by trumpeting females. Ravana’s eyes were red with anger, and his strength swelled within him. Arjuna’s minister spoke in a deep voice, “Quickly announce to the king Haihaya: Ravana, the Rakshasa, has arrived seeking battle.” Hearing Ravana’s words, Arjuna’s ministers rose, armed and equipped, and addressed Ravana, “The time for battle must be determined. Well done, Ravana, well done.” They continued, “Who would dare to fight a king surrounded by women? How can you, Arjuna, wish to fight in the presence of women, like a tiger attacking a drunken elephant among trumpeting females? Forgive now, O ten-headed one; let the night be spent by you. If you have faith in battle, tomorrow you may fight Arjuna. If you truly desire to fight, your mind filled with thirst for battle, then, after defeating us, you may approach Arjuna for combat.” A fierce battle erupted. Ravana’s ministers slew Arjuna’s ministers, devouring them in their hunger. A tumultuous sound arose on the banks of the Narmada, from Arjuna’s followers and Ravana’s ministers. With arrows, spears, tridents, and thunderbolt-drawing weapons, Arjuna’s warriors rushed from all sides, tormenting the Rakshasas. The force of the Haihaya king’s warriors was exceedingly fierce, like the roar of an ocean filled with crocodiles and sharks.